24 Under 24

In the first Chivas USA game of the preseason, midfielder Marvin Iraheta tore his ACL and since, he’s undergone a successful surgery but has been kept out of any action on the field. The 20-year old Iraheta arrived in the United States just four years ago from his native El Salvador. Upon his arrival, Iraheta was asked to join the Cosmos Academy West , a Western Division of the New York Cosmos Academy (merged with Chivas USA’s Youth Academy in 2011), playing in many matches that include a friendly against English powerhouse Manchester United in Old Trafford back in 2011.

But things may start looking up for the young Salvadoran midfielder as he was just moved from “Out” to “Doubtful” in the team’s injury list and his debut may come soon.

He might’ve not debuted with the First Team yet, but Chivas USA Youth Academy product Marco ‘Marky’ Delgado has already gotten some action against the pros playing in Reserve League matches and even notching his first goal (match vs Portland Reserves). Aside from participating with the Reserves, Marky continues participating with the Youth Teams that made it to the USSDA’s Finals Week for the fourth time in history as well as training camps with the U.S. Men’s Youth National Teams.

Earlier this week, First Team Head Coach Robin Fraser confirmed that Marky has completed his Youth Academy hours and will be eligible to play with the First Team this Saturday.

Young forward Cesar Romero joined Chivas USA early this year and was responsible for notching the first goal for the Goats in the first pre-season match of the year. Since then, Romero has shown very much spark for potential, becoming the top goal scorer for Chivas USA in the Reserve League with five goals scored. His first assist of the season came in the Goats’ 2-1 win over expansion team Montreal Impact as his corner kick found Juan Agudelo who was able to kick into the back of the net not before deflecting on Alejandro Moreno’s thigh.

You might find him small, but midfielder Paolo Cardozo shows major talent whenever he comes onto the field for Chivas USA. Cardozo was acquired earlier this season in a trade with home rival LA Galaxy in exchange for defender David Junior Lopes. Interesting enough, Cardozo would score his first MLS goal in the second SuperClásico of the season.

He’s known as Ecuador’s future. And so far here with Chivas USA, Miller Bolaños has started showing the reasons why. Bolaños joined MLS in the preseason and had a slow adaptation to a different league, suffering a couple of injuries earlier in the season, and adapting to Southern California. Because of this, versatile Bolaños spent a couple of games out of the 18-man roster, but upon his return, he showed why Coach Fraser should consider him for every game as he scored his first MLS goal in the Wednesday afternoon match vs Portland Timbers back in July.

After spending one year playing in Belgium, forward Tristan Bowen returned to Chivas USA early this year to continue doing what he does best. Although he had played with the Red-and-White Reserves League, it wasn’t until this past Saturday that Bowen made his debut with the team this season as he came off the bench to replace Alejandro Moreno in the 62nd minute. Twenty minutes later, Bowen made a cross that would lead to the club’s 1-1 draw with Colorado Rapids.

In the few games the 2012 MLS SuperDraft selectee Casey Townsend has played with Chivas USA, he’s learned to be the difference maker. In the team’s first road match, Townsend scored his first MLS goal as he gave the Goats their first win of the season against Real Salt Lake. Since then, Casey has played in 11 games (four starts) and sums one assist (earned in the team’s last match vs Colorado Rapids).

Just last April, Colombian forward Jose Erik Correa was the top goal scorer in his native country’s Liga Postobon with his now former club Boyacá Chico FC. Then, he joined Chivas USA. In his first two games, 19 year-old Correa began demonstrating the type of player he is when he scored one goal each game. But we’re not talking about just any goals, but he notched the winning goal in the first SuperClásico of the season, a win that took four years to come to the Goats. Aside from action within MLS regular season, Correa became the top goal scorer for the Red-and-White in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run.

Make sure to cast your vote for him and the other Red-and-White players by clicking here.

Check out Correa’s first goal in a 1-1 draw with San Jose Earthquakes on May 13 at Buck Shaw Stadium:

Jorge Villafaña, aka “Sueño” is the longest serving Chivas USA player in the current squad after winning the 2007 Sueño MLS contest. Since then, Villafaña has had stellar performance for the Red-and-White, leading the club to many victories. Just this year, 22 year-old Villafaña has disputed seven games (three starts) helping the club with one assist but taking many dangerous shots on goal. In his MLS career, Villafaña has disputed 59 games (42 starts), notching five goals and adding two assists.

And did we add that Villafaña is a new dad? Last June 3rd, Jorge became a father for the first time to a beautiful baby girl named Arely.

Just one week from being acquired from the New York Red Bulls, Colombian-born Juan Agudelo gave us a preview of what’s yet to come as he scored his first goal with the club in a 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders on May 26 at The Home Depot Center.

In 12 games with the club, 19 year-old Agudelo has disputed eight MLS regular season matches (seven starts) and adds one assist before missing a few games due to a swollen knee. Now that he has recovered, Agudelo has continued making a positive impact in the team, starting in all three games and creating scoring opportunities.